Comments on: Chicago Building Code RE: Pests

By: John Bartlett

John Bartlett — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:50:51 +0000

There are no laws specifically about bed bugs. They would be same as any other pest. Unfortunately, Cicero has few laws that cover this situation. My suggestion would be to start by calling the Cicero City Hall and see if they have any inspectors that look for bed bugs or other pests. Have you asked the landlord about breaking your lease? If the landlord agrees then the problem is solved, though you need to get the agreement in writing, including what happens to your security deposit.

By: Emmanuel

Emmanuel — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:31:00 +0000

so i have been living in this aprt in cicero since november 1st. i have been getting multiple bug bites, we found out early december it was bed bugs. I called my landlord and the next day she sent an exterminator. we are going on two weeks now since the exterminator showed up but we still keep getting bit. i know this was a problem that was already here because the people on the first floor have had the problem for some time now but just never informed the landlord. i have a 5 month old baby and a 2 year old son. What can i do or how do i break my lease without getting penalized or have to spend more money than i should. Even if the problem gets fixed i dont feel comfortable living here anymore.

By: John Bartlett

John Bartlett — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:40:00 +0000

The law is not so clear on the issue. A first step might be to see if other tenants are having any problems with pests. If you think it might be be bugs I would examine your bedroom and especially the bed very thoroughly. After this you can then document your concerns by writing a letter to your landlord. As for terminating the lease. The law does not make exceptions for bed bugs. The law for terminating a lease states the tenant can terminate the lease if after providing the landlord with written notification and waiting at least 14 days for the landlord to fix the problem. The law also states the problem must make the unit not reasonably fit and habitable.

By: Lilly B

Lilly B — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:56:46 +0000

I moved into my apartment 1 and 1/2 months ago. I brought all furniture with me, and have bought nothing new. There is some sort of bug infestation in my apartment; I have not seen any bedbugs, but it is a possibility. I have been bitten multiple times, and have had to see three different doctors for the severe reaction to these bites. I am fairly certain the bugs were in the apartment before I moved in (I live in an older, not exactly well kept building). What are my rights and next steps in terms of extermination in my unit? Does this give me a right to break my lease – if I moved into a uninhabitable building, it seems my renter is at fault – although, my concern is that they will say I brought the infestation with me (which I am sure I did not. There were no bugs or bites at my old apartment).

By: John Bartlett

John Bartlett — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:10:52 +0000

Currently, there are no laws that require a landlord to disclose the presence of bed bugs in a building. Bed bugs are not like other pests. They migrate much slower so hopefully the landlord is working to resolve the problem. Many tenants want the landlord to spray the entire building though this is not necessary nor advisable. The eradication procedures on work on direct contact with the pests. So if there are no pests it does no good to spray in a unit that does not have them. It will not prevent the bugs from migrating there in the future.

By: M Eileen

M Eileen — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:10:30 +0000

Hello—-

I was informed by a tenant living on the 4th floor of my 22story building that she has an infestation if bed bugs. I live on the 16th floor. Management has not yet informed all tenants of this occurrence. Are they required by the renter ordinance to do so?? Trying to research this topic before confronting management. Any information and/or referrals to resources would be greatly appreciated.

By: Meron Kahssai

Meron Kahssai — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:48:01 +0000

I don’t know that this is a violation of the building code. You should only use one of the remedies available to Chicago RLTO renters, including the repair and deduct, if you are certain that this is a building code violation. You may want to contact your alderman or Chicago’s Streets & Sanitation department. Streets & Sanitation does work to mitigate rats; they may be a good place to inquire about your issue. You can also call 311 to see if this is something that can be cited by an inspector.

If you discover that this is not a building code violation, which I suspect, and you still want to hire a company to install the spikes, it’s in your best interest to first get written permission from your landlord. Although it sounds like pretty minor work, your landlord could argue that installation of these spikes is a violation of the terms of your lease.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:23:57 +0000

I have pigeons roosting on the window ledge in the gangway of my multi-unit apartment building. In addition to leaving unsanitary bird droppings on the sill, they coo very loudly in the early morning, making it extremely difficult to sleep. I have asked the management company to fix the problem. They said they came by and looked, but that there was nothing they could do. I would like to send them a registered letter asking them to get rid of the pigeons within 14 days, otherwise I will hire a company to come with ladders (I live on the 3rd floor) to install pigeon-deterrent spikes. Do you think this falls within my rights as a tenant (“repair and deduct”)?

By: John Bartlett

John Bartlett — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:08:24 +0000

This is a very tricky topic and bed bugs are a growing problem. First it is very difficult to assign blame. Bed bugs can come from many places. Certainly bringing in furniture form the alley is a risky venture. I do not know what you mean by other risky actions. Bed bugs really do not have anything to do with how clean you may keep your unit. Some could say that staying in hotels is risky. Did your client know that bringing furniture in from the alley was dangerous and could result in a bed bug infestation.

When it comes to who should pay for the extermination there are many factors involved such as do other units have bed bugs, did the client realize that bringing used furniture into the unit could lead to the infestation, did the client refuse to cooperate with apartment policies regarding bed bugs, were the policies known, did the client know that the furniture had bed bugs, etc. Before paying for a costly extermination process I would talk with an attorney.

Finally there may be ways to save the furniture. One owner on a cold clear night moved furniture to roof of the apartment because very cold temperatures like those we have been experiencing will kill bed bugs. Before takiing action regarding extermination you should talk with an expert.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:40:14 +0000

I am a case manager for limited English speaking clients in Chicago. One of our clients has bed bugs in their apartment. It is almost certainly their fault (they have been bringing furniture from the alley)- or, put otherwise, they have been taking actions that would lead to bed bugs, even if they arrived in the unit via other means.

The building manager is discussing them needing to pay for extermination.

Is a landlord able to oblige a renter to pay for an exterminator? They (the building manager) are obviously concerned about spread to other units, to the point that logical discussions (spraying the one apartment won’t necessarily end the infestation; it’s Rogers Park, many buildings have bed bugs; trashing the mattresses wont’ end the infestation, etc.)

Thanks,
Peter